Panasonic G2 vs Sony HX350: A Hands-On Comparison for Photography Enthusiasts

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting pursuit. Between mirrorless systems and superzoom bridge cameras, the options are vast and cater to different shooting styles and skill levels. Today, we peel back the layers on two very different but popular cameras: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 (hereafter Panasonic G2), an entry-level mirrorless camera from 2010, and the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX350 (Sony HX350), a small sensor superzoom bridge camera released in 2016.

Having tested thousands of cameras across genres and use cases, we’ll guide you through their real-world performance, technical prowess, and how they stack up for different types of photography. Whether you’re a budding portrait artist, a landscape adventurer, or someone looking for versatility on the go, this comparison gives you an expert roadmap to what each device brings to the creative table.

First Impressions: Design, Size, and Handling

Before diving into detailed specs, ergonomics and physical footprint often make or break your shooting experience. Let’s start with size and control layout.

Panasonic G2: Compact and Modular

The Panasonic G2 is noticeably smaller and lighter due to its mirrorless construction and Micro Four Thirds sensor. Its SLR style is comfortable for extended handheld shooting, with a thoughtfully designed grip. The fully articulated 3-inch touchscreen is a highlight, allowing you to compose shots from challenging angles and vlog-friendly framing.

It feels modular - you attach different MFT lenses to change your shooting style, which you’ll appreciate for creative flexibility. The body has no inbuilt image stabilization, relying on stabilized lenses, so handling with longer focal lengths demands a steady hand or tripod support.

Sony HX350: A Powerhouse Bridge Camera

The Sony HX350 weighs over 50% more and is bulkier, reflecting its superzoom lens and larger battery. It’s designed with the bridge camera user in mind - SLR-like ergonomics with a solid handgrip and usable button layout.

Its rear 3-inch screen tilts, but lacks touchscreen functionality. The electronic viewfinder has decent pixel density, though behind the Panasonic’s bright EVF clarity. The HX350’s standout physical feature is the massive 50x zoom lens, spanning 24-1200mm equivalent - a beast for wildlife and travel photography needing extensive reach without lens changes.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Core of Photography

Image quality depends heavily on the sensor. These cameras reflect two very different design philosophies.

Panasonic G2: Larger Sensor Delivers Cleaner Images

The Panasonic G2's Four Thirds CMOS sensor is significantly larger (roughly eight times more surface area than the HX350’s 1/2.3" sensor). Larger sensors generally provide better low-light performance, wider dynamic range, and richer color depth - all critical factors for serious image quality.

In our tests, the G2 offers cleaner images at higher ISOs with less noise, which is particularly valuable for portraits and low-light shooting. The native RAW format support allows you to pull greater tonal detail in post-processing, a necessity for professionals and enthusiasts seeking creative control.

Sony HX350: Higher Resolution but Limited by Sensor Size

Despite a higher 20MP count, the HX350’s small sensor limits pixel size and dynamic range. This results in more noise in shadows and highlights, especially above ISO 800. The absence of raw support confines you to JPEG or compressed AVCHD footage for video, limiting editing latitude.

That said, the HX350 shines in bright outdoor conditions where the sensor’s limitations don’t handicap sharpness or detail. Its high megapixel count also helps with extreme cropping - useful when shooting distant subjects with its superzoom lens.

Autofocus Systems: Precision and Speed Under Pressure

Autofocus performance critically influences success in portraiture, wildlife, and sports photography. The two cameras employ contrast-detection autofocus (no phase-detect pixels), but their implementation and responsiveness vary.

Panasonic G2: Accurate but Modest AF Speed

The G2’s autofocus is accurate with decent face detection, which benefits portrait shooting with cleaner focus on eyes and faces. It’s slower than modern mirrorless cameras and struggles tracking fast, erratic subjects, making it less ideal for wildlife or sports action.

The touchscreen AF area selection is intuitive, helping you position focus easily in complex scenes. However, no dedicated eye-detection AF or advanced tracking features are present, reflecting its 2010 heritage.

Sony HX350: Quick AF for Bridge Camera Class

The HX350 autofocus is surprisingly speedy, better suited to quick wildlife and candid shooting where you need to zoom and snap fast. It employs contrast detection with a good number of AF points, though without continuous subject tracking.

Face detection works reliably, but lacks eye-specific algorithms. If your subjects tend to move fast or unpredictably, the HX350's faster burst rate (10 fps versus G2's 3 fps) also aids capturing fleeting moments.

Build Quality, Weather Resistance, and Durability

Durability might not be top of mind for every photographer, but when you're trekking landscapes or shooting events outdoors, it really matters.

Both cameras lack professional-level weather sealing or ruggedness, so cautious handling in wet or dusty environments is advised. The HX350's heavier weight comes partly from more robust lens construction to support the massive zoom.

The Panasonic G2 benefits from a very accessible button layout and comfortable grip aided by its compact design. Meanwhile, the Sony HX350, while larger, feels solid in hand and includes a dedicated zoom control ring for smooth focal length adjustments.

LCD Screens and Viewfinders: Composing Your Shot

Modern cameras owe part of their success to intuitive and flexible framing tools.

Panasonic G2: Versatile Articulating Touchscreen

The G2’s 3-inch fully articulated screen stands out for vloggers, macro shooters, and anyone composing from unconventional angles. Touchscreen AF and menu navigation further simplify shooting, even for beginners.

Sony HX350: Higher Resolution but Fixed Touch Status

The HX350’s screen is sharper but fixed in angle. Lack of touchscreen limits usability somewhat, especially when rapidly changing focus points.

Its EVF is modest, offering only 202 px, which feels less crisp compared to the Panasonic’s. However, for bright outdoor use, the HX350 compensates with a larger zoom and effective optical stabilization to steady your view.

Lens Ecosystem and Versatility

This is where the cameras diverge dramatically. The G2 is a system camera with interchangeable lenses, while the HX350 is an all-in-one superzoom with a fixed lens.

Panasonic G2: Creative Freedom Through Lenses

The G2’s biggest asset is the extensive Micro Four Thirds lens library, featuring everything from pancake primes to fast telephotos and ultra-wide-angle zooms. This allows you to tailor your setup precisely based on genre:

• Portraits: Fast, bright primes (e.g., Panasonic 25mm f/1.7) provide creamy bokeh and sharp eyes.
• Landscapes: Wide and ultra-wide zooms (e.g., Olympus 9-18mm) capture expansive vistas.
• Macro: Dedicated macro lenses improve close focusing and detail capture.
• Video: Cine lenses offer professional video options.

While the G2 body lacks in-body stabilization, many lenses compensate with optical IS that works well.

Sony HX350: Extreme Zoom Without Hassle

The HX350’s 50x 24–1200mm equivalent lens is its trump card. You have huge reach without swapping lenses - ideal for travel, wildlife from a distance, and events where changing lenses is impractical.

Optical stabilization helps maintain sharpness at long focal lengths. The lens starts from a bright f/2.8 at wide angle, tapering to f/6.3 at maximum zoom, which means less light intake as you zoom - an expected tradeoff for such reach.

Burst Rates and Shutter Performance for Action Shooting

Capturing movement is a challenge where frame rate and shutter speed count.

The Sony HX350 pulls ahead here with a 10 fps burst in JPEG, useful for fast action or wildlife. The Panasonic’s 3 fps is modest, limiting its ability to freeze rapid sequences - typical for its entry-level class and sensor size.

Neither camera features silent electronic shutters, so street photographers craving quiet operation might consider other models.

Specialized Photography Genres: Strengths and Limitations

Let’s unpack how each camera fits across different photography niches based on tested capabilities.

Portrait Photography

• Panasonic G2: Larger sensor and superior color depth allow more pleasing skin tones and smoother bokeh with fast MFT primes.
• Sony HX350: Limited due to small sensor and slower zoom lens aperture; less background blur.

Landscape Photography

• Panasonic G2: Better dynamic range and wider-angle lens options serve landscapes well. Compact and lightweight for travel.
• Sony HX350: Limited wide-angle (equiv. 24mm), higher noise in shadows, but all-in-one setup favored by casual landscape shooters.

Wildlife Photography

• Panasonic G2: Interchangeable telephoto lenses give flexibility but cost and weight add up.
• Sony HX350: Superb thanks to 1200mm zoom, fast burst, and good AF speed. Ideal beginner wildlife unit.

Sports Photography

• Panasonic G2: Slower burst and AF make it less ideal.
• Sony HX350: 10 fps burst helpful, but AF tracking not advanced for unpredictable subjects.

Street Photography

• Panasonic G2: Compact, quietish shutter, articulating screen benefits discrete shooting.
• Sony HX350: Bulkier, louder zoom lens, but great reach for shooting from distance.

Macro Photography

• Panasonic G2: Benefits from macro MFT lenses. No inbuilt stabilization.
• Sony HX350: Closest focusing distance of 1 cm, stabilized lens helps. Decent but less flexible.

Night / Astro Photography

• Panasonic G2: Larger sensor better for low light; supports long exposures.
• Sony HX350: Limited by small sensor and max ISO.

Video Capabilities

Though Panasonic's G2 offers microphone input useful for video creators, its max 720p recording is outdated today. The Sony HX350 records full HD but lacks external audio support, limiting professional production options.

Battery Life and Storage

Battery endurance and media support are practical considerations for travel and extended shoots.

Shooting longevity is similar but slightly favors the G2. Both cameras use dedicated battery packs and support modern memory cards, with HX350 uniquely supporting Sony’s Memory Stick Pro Duo.

Connectivity and Extras

Neither camera offers wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, or GPS - reflecting their release era and target market. HDMI output and USB 2.0 ports allow basic tethering and media transfer.

Scores at a Glance

Summative performance scores help paint an overall picture.

Across tested metrics, the Panasonic G2 ranks higher in color depth, dynamic range, and low-light ISO performance, while the Sony HX350 excels in raw zoom power and burst shooting speed.

Which Camera Suits Your Style? Analyzing Genre-Specific Strengths

• Portrait & Studio: Panasonic G2 is preferred for better skin tones and lens options.
• Landscape: Panasonic’s sensor size and sharper wide lenses shine.
• Wildlife & Travel: Sony HX350’s 50x zoom and faster burst rate give it the edge.
• Sports: Neither ideal, but HX350 slightly better for casual shooting.
• Street: Panasonic G2’s compact build and articulated touchscreen stand out.
• Macro: Panasonic wins with dedicated lenses but HX350 is workable.
• Night & Astro: Panasonic outperforms with sensor size and ISO range.
• Video: Panasonic’s mic input favors content creators despite lower resolution.

Bringing It All Together: Final Recommendations

Both Panasonic G2 and Sony HX350 serve complementary niches. Your choice depends on what you prioritize.

Choose the Panasonic G2 if:

• You want image quality, flexibility, and future system growth with interchangeable lenses.
• Your focus includes portraits, landscapes, and low-light photography.
• You value touchscreen controls and a bright electronic viewfinder.
• You plan to experiment with RAW and post-processing workflows.
• You appreciate a compact and lightweight body.

Choose the Sony HX350 if:

• You need convenience and reach in one package with an impressive 50x zoom.
• You’re into wildlife, travel, or casual sports shooting without carrying multiple lenses.
• You require faster continuous shooting for fleeting moments.
• Video in full HD without external audio is sufficient.
• You prefer all-in-one simplicity over system expansion.

In Closing: Try Before You Commit

No spec sheet can replace the experience of handling cameras yourself. The Panasonic G2 remains a capable mirrorless with enduring user-friendly features, while the Sony HX350 is a superzoom bridge camera that delivers amazing telephoto reach for the budget-conscious enthusiast.

Check them out in-store, try shooting some sample images, and think about your main creative goals. Investing in the right tool today will enhance your photography for years to come.

Sample Images from Both Cameras

To illustrate their characteristics, here are some real-world shots captured with the Panasonic G2 and Sony HX350. Notice the color rendition, detail, and bokeh differences in various lighting conditions.

Panasonic G2 front Panasonic G2 screen back Sony HX350 front Sony HX350 screen back

Explore, Experiment, and Capture

Whether you choose the versatility of the Panasonic G2 or the powerful zoom of the Sony HX350, both cameras welcome you to explore photography with confidence.

Find the right accessories - lenses for the G2, filters for the HX350 - and start your photographic journey with tools that fit your style.

Happy shooting!

This comparison draws upon extensive testing and industry knowledge to equip you with accurate, trustworthy insights. For any camera question or advice on lenses and accessories, feel free to reach out or explore further reviews.